Concrete form clip

ABSTRACT

A concrete form assembly in which a plurality of lower clips are mounted in engagement with the bottom of a pair of sheet sides. A second plurality of upper concrete clips engage the top f the sheet sides and cooperate with the lower clips to hold the sheet sides in a substantially vertical attitude to hold the sheet sides in position while wet concrete is poured into the space between the sheet sides. All of the clips are identical in their construction. Each clip includes a pair of parallel spaced rails and a pair of U-shaped braces fixed to each end of the pair of spaced rails for engaging the sheet sides and holding the sheet sides upright.

United States Patent Phelps et al.

[54] CONCRETE FORM CLIP [72] Inventors: Thomas E. Phelps, 700 Campbell Drive; Ben F. Kraft, 531 Parkway East, both of, Las Vegas, Nev. 89106 [22] Filed: Jan. 21, 1970 211 Appl. No; 4,623

52 us. Cl ..249/219, 24/8l c, 52/562, 52/427, 249/210 5: 1 Int. Cl ..E04g 17/00 [58] Field of Search ..249/33, 216, 34, 2l3, 18,19, 249/l88, 189, 207, 219; 52/562, 399, 427, 426, 24/81 C, 261 C, 261 WL; 287/l89.35,

[451 Oct. 10,1972

3,547,397 12/1970 Brow Jr ..249/219 R Primary Examiner-J. Spencer Overholser Assistant Examiner-Dewalden W. Jones Attorney-Stone, Zummer & Aubel [57] ABSTRACT A concrete form assembly in which a plurality of lower clips are mounted in engagement with the bottom of a pair of sheet sides. A second plurality of upper concrete clips engage the top f the sheet sides and cooperate with the lower clips to hold the sheet sides in a substantially vertical attitude to hold the sheet sides in position while wet concrete is poured into the space between the sheet sides. All of the clips are identical in their construction. Each clip includes a pair of parallel spaced rails and a pair of U-shaped braces fixed to each end of the pair of spaced rails for engaging the sheet sides and holding the sheet sides upright.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDncr 10 I972 INVENTORS THU/WAS E. PHELPS BEN E KRAFT I #JVM .ATTORN E YS CONCRETE FORM CLIP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the construction of buildings, it is customary to pour a concrete foundation below the level of the floor or basement of a building. Traditionally, a trench has been dug, and forms have been placed into position in the trench. In order to maintain the forms in a vertical attitude, various brackets and braces have been built of lumber or other materials in the bottom of the trench and along the walls of the trench in order to keep the forms from moving under the pressure of the wet concrete.

It should be noted that it is important to have the foundation rest on the ground or on a footing so that the typical construction material, such as wood two-byfours, cannot be placed beneath the foundation. Thus, there is a problem of being able to hold the forms within a given space but still not interfere with bottom of the foundation resting on the earth or footing.

I-Ieretofore, various systems for holding forms involving clips have been used to solve some of the problem. The clips are customarily made of metal. The clips space the forms, and the clips are left in the bottom of the foundation after the forms are removed. The clips which have been used heretofore require that the forms be built up in a particular manner so that there is a proper co-action of the forms and the clips. In many instances, it is still necessary for a workman to hammer nails into position after the form is in the trench, which makes the clips difficult to use and increases the labor costs for a builder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved concrete form assembly in which a plurality of concrete form clips are simply placed in a trench. Sheet sides are dropped in between pairs of braces, which constitute a part of the clips. Then identical clips are mounted on top of the sheet sides by placing the clips on top of the sheet sides, with the braces bracketing the respective sheet sides. The sheet sides are held in a vertical position by the cooperation of the upper and lower clips. Each of the clips has a pair of substantially U-shaped braces, which engage opposite sides of each of the sheet sides to prevent the sheet side from moving from side to side. The clips are open so that there is little or no interference by the clips of pouring of concrete through the clips since the spaced rails are simply heavy-gauge wire. It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide an improved concrete form assembly which may be readily assembled in a trench to eliminate the necessity of digging an unduly large trench to receive a form and to eliminate the necessity of building bracing within the trench.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a concrete form assembly in which pouring of concrete into the concrete form is facilitated.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved concrete form assembly in which the concrete form may be readily disassembled after the concrete sets.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved concrete form clip for use in making up of forms.

It is a still further object of the herein-disclosed invention to provide an improved concrete form clip which is economical to manufacture and easy to use.

Other objects and uses of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the following specification in light of the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and especially to FIG. 1, a concrete form assembly generally indicated by numeral 10 is shown therein. The concrete form assembly 10 generallyincludes a plurality of lower clips 12 with a pair of sheet sides 14 and 16 mounted therein. In this instance, the sheet sides are sheets of plywood, but any other suitable material may be used. The upper portions of the sheet sides 14 and 16 are held in position by a plurality of upper clips 18, which are identical in construction to the lower clips 12.

Looking now to FIG. 4, a more detailed showing of lower clips 12 is seen therein. It is important to note that the construction of the lower clip 12 is identical to the upper clips 18. The clip 12 is made up entirely of heavy-gauge wire. In this particular instance, No. 5 steel wire is utilized. However, any appropriate sized wire may be used for a given clip, depending upon the size and application of the clip.

The clip 12 includes a pair of rails 20 and 22, which are parallel to each other. Fixed to the rails 20 and 22 are four identical U-shaped braces 24, 26, 28 and 30. The braces 24 and 26 are parallel to each other and are fixed adjacent to one end of the rails 20 and 22. The braces 24 and 26 are spaced a distance equal to the thickness of the sheet sides 14 and 16 so that the resilience of the braces firmly grips the sheet sides when a sheet side is positioned between the braces. The braces 28 and 30 are also parallel to each other and are fixed to the other ends of the rails 20 and 22. The spacing between braces 28 and 30 is identical to the spacing between braces 24 and 26 to hold firmly a sheet side positioned between braces 28 and 30.

As was mentioned above, the braces 24, 26, 28 and 30 are identical in construction. Considering now in specific detail one of the braces, it may be seen that the U-shaped brace 24 includes a straight base portion 32, which has sloping arrm 34 and 36 formed integral with opposite ends of base portion 32 and extending outwardly therefrom. Bars 38 and 40 are formed integral with the arms 34 and 36, respectively. The ears 38 and 40 are parallel to the base portion 32 and are in line with each other. The ears 38 and 40 are fixed to rails 20 and 22 by spot welding the ears to the rails.

As was mentioned above, all of the U-shaped braces are identical and have the same construction. It is important to note that the clips may be readily and conveniently manufactured by cutting the rail members to length. The braces are cut to length and bent to the appropriate form. In view of the fact that the rails and the braces are of the same material and have the same size, it is a simple matter to spot weld the ears to the rails. The clips are assembled with a great deal of facility since the braces need only be positioned in a jig and the ears spot welded to the rails while the parts are in the ig.

The concrete form assembly is used in the following manner. As is conventional, a trench 42 is dug at an appropriate location. It is important to note that by utilizing the instant concrete form assembly the trench 42 need not be wider than the width of the foundation plus the thickness of the sheet sides, inasmuch as it is not necessary to build bracing into the bottom of the trench. The lower clips 12 are positioned in the bottom of the trench with the braces aligned. Then, sheet 14 is dropped into position between braces 24 and 26 so that the sheet is gripped and held by the U-shaped braces. The sheet 16 is then dropped into position between braces 28 and 30. The U-shaped braces 28 and 30 grip and hold the sheet 16. As was mentioned above, the

width of the trench need not be greater than the thickness of the foundation plus the thickness of the sheet sides which constitute the forms, thereby effecting substantial economies because unnecessary earth need not be removed nor must the same earth be replaced after the forms are removed. After the sheet sides 14 and 16 are in position in the lower clips 12, steel reinforcement rods may be positioned between the sheet sides as may be required for a given construction. The upper clips 18 which are identical in construction to the lower clips are slipped over the top part of the sheet sides 14 and 16. The clips 18 rest on top of the sheet sides and are supported thereby. lt may be appreciated that the resilience of the U-shaped braces of the upper clips holds the sheet sides, and the upper and lower clips hold the sheet sides in an upright position.

The wet concrete is then poured, as is conventional, between the sheet sides 14 and 16. It may be appreciated that the construction of the clips 18 is such that the pouring of the concrete is in no manner impeded by the clips, that is, the concrete can flow between the rails 20 and 22, and the aggregate does not pile upon the rails since the rails are rounded. Thus, it is not necessary to remove continually the wet concrete from the rails as it is being poured, thereby effecting a savings in labor. Since the ears 38 and 40 are parallel to the base portion 32 and are in line with each other, the ears lie alongside the sheet sides 14 and 16 and do not protrude above a plane defined by the parallel rails 20 and 22 to present a hazard to workmen pouring wet concrete.

After the concrete sets to make foundation 44, the clips 18 are removed from the sheet sides 14 and 16. The sheet sides 14 and 16 are removed in a conventional manner, leaving behind the lower clips 12. The earth is replaced in the trench in the space which was occupied by the sheet sides. It may be appreciated that the lower clips 12 remain in the bottom of the foundation 44. However, the only portion of the clips which is between the foundation and the supporting earth are portions of the rails 20 and 22, and even then, the wet concrete had flowed around the rails since the rails have circular cross-sections.

From the foregoing description, it may be readily appreciated that the forms are easily and readily assembled. The form is one which is easy to use in pouring the concrete and is simple to disassemble once the concrete is poured. Although a specific embodiment has been described in detail above, it is readily apparent that those skilled in the art may make various modifications and changes in the specific details of the device described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is to be expressly understood that the description contained herein is for the purposes of describing the invention, as required under the Patent Act, and the instant invention is limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A concrete form clip comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced rails defining a plane, a generally U- shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails on one side of the plane of the rails adjacent to one end of each of the rails, a second generally U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails on the one side of the plane of the rails adjacent to the other end of each of said rails, a third U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails on the one side of the plane of the rails and being positioned adjacent to the first-mentioned U- shaped brace for receiving a sheet side of a concrete form therebetween, and a fourth U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails on the one side of the plane of the rails and positioned adjacent to the second U-shaped brace for receiving a second sheet side of a concrete form therebetween for retaining wet concrete between the sheet sides, each of said U-shaped braces having a pair of oppositely outwardly extending ears attached to the respective rails on the one side of the plane of the rails, each of the ears in each pair is in line with the other ear of the pair and each of the ears is substantially parallel to the plane of the rails.

2. A concrete form clip as defined inclaim 1 wherein the rails are substantially parallel to each other, and the U-shaped braces each define a plane, each of said planes are parallel to each other and are perpendicular to the rails.

3. A concrete form clip as defined in claim 2 wherein the rails and U-shaped braces are made of a heavy steel wire and the ears of the braces are spot welded to the respective rails.

4. A concrete form clip comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced rails, a generally U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails adjacent to one end of each of the rails, a second generally U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails adjacent to the other end of each of said rails, a third U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails and being positioned adjacent to the first-mentioned U-shaped brace for receiving a sheet side of a concrete form therebetween, and a fourth U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails and positioned adjacent to the second U- shaped brace for receiving a second sheet side of a concrete form therebetween for retaining wet concrete between the sheet sides, each of said U-shaped braces having a pair of oppositely extending ears attached to the respective rails, each U-shaped brace includes a straight base portion, a sloping arm formed integral with each of the opposite ends of the straight base portion, said ears being formed integral with respective 

1. A concrete form clip comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced rails defining a plane, a generally U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails on one side of the plane of the rails adjacent to one end of each of the rails, a second generally U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails on the one side of the plane of the rails adjacent to the other end of each of said rails, a third U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails on the one side of the plane of the rails and being positioned adjacent to the first-mentioned U-shaped brace for receiving a sheet side of a concrete form therebetween, and a fourth U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails on the one side of the plane of the rails and positioned adjacent to the second U-shaped brace for receiving a second sheet side of a concrete form therebetween for retaining wet concrete between the sheet sides, each of said U-shaped braces having a pair of oppositely outwardly extending ears attached to the respective rails on the one side of the plane of the rails, each of the ears in each pair is in line with the other ear of the pair and each of the ears is substantially parallel to the plane of the rails.
 2. A concrete form clip as defined in claim 1 wherein the rails are substantially parallel to each other, and the U-shaped braces each define a plane, each of said planes are parallel to each other and are perpendicular to the rails.
 3. A concrete form clip as defined in claim 2 wherein the rails and U-shaped braces are made of a heavy steel wire and the ears of the braces are spot welded to the respective rails.
 4. A concrete form clip comprising, in combination, a pair of spaced rails, a generally U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails adjacent to one end of each of the rails, a second generally U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails adjacent to the other end of each of said rails, a third U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails and being positioned adjacent to the first-mentioned U-shaped brace for receiving a sheet side of a concrete form therebetween, and a fourth U-shaped brace attached to the pair of spaced rails and positioned adjacent to the second U-shaped brace for receiving a second sheet side of a concrete form therebetween for retaining wet concrete between the sheet sides, each of said U-shaped braces having a pair of oppositely extending ears attached to the respective rails, each U-shaped brace includes a straight base portion, a sloping arm formed integral with each of the opposite ends of the straight base portion, said ears being formed integral with respective sloping arms.
 5. A concrete form clip as defined in claim 4 wherein each of the ears is in line with the other ear in its respective pair and the ears of each U-shaped brace are parallel to the respective straight base portion. 